Door operator



Filed Jui 25, 1955 J. 'v. OGRADY DOOR OPERATOR- 8 SheetsSheet l I I I l I I I I l l I l l l I I I I I I I I I l l I I I I l l l l I l I l l I I I I I I l l l l I I l Running Clearance /nI/enf0r Mud/I414,

J. v. O'GRADY 2,899,021

DOOR OPERATOR 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 mm R wk 6 INVENTOR. Joseph 1/ OG'mdy BY his af/omeys x mm r mm III Aug. 11, 1959 Filed July 25, 1955 7 11, 1959 J. v. O'GRADY 2,899,021

DOOR OPERATOR Filed July 25, 1955 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VEN TOR.-

Joseph V OGmdy B his ol/omeys 11, 1959 .1. v. O'GRADY 2,899,021

DOOR OPERATOR Fil ed July 25, 1955 a Sheets-Sheet 7 iL H"- '7; 208

5 IN VEN TOR.

JoSp/z MO'Gmdy BYh/s aI/omeys MMA M.

United .v

2,899,021 DOOR OPERATOR Application July 25, 1955, Serial No. 524,066 7 Claims. Cl. 187-52) This application pertains to' a mechanism for operating linearly moving closures and in particular to a mechanism for operating elevator doors.

Operating the doors of elevators, particularly passenger elevators of the type customarily employed in office buildings, presents a great number of problems. The doors must open and close quickly and yet their movement must be controlled to avoid loud noise, unnecessary wear, and injury to passengers. The mechanism employed must be simple and rugged enough to withstand hundreds and even thousands of operations a day for extended periods of time. It must be easy to install, maintain and repair.

The problems of designing such mechanism can be better appreciated when it is realized that for every time the doors on the elevator car itself open, another set of doors in the hoistway at the particular floor where the car is stopped, must also be opened and that the two sets of doors are not always exactly parallel, or level.

Various types of operating mechanisms have been designed to meet these problems. However, known types of mechanism are handicapped by being specifically designed for certain sizes of doors, and are not readily adapted to doors of different sizes. In many cases known systems do not function well if the elevator cab is misaligned with the floor at which it is stopped. In some instances moreover, much skilled labor is needed to install the operating mechanism with attendant high costs.

In accordance with the present inventiomthese defects are overcome by means of a door operating mechanism comprising a direct current electric motor, a winding drum driven by said motor and a flexible member wound on the drum and attached to the doors or other closures to be operated.

The closures with which the present operating mech-' anism is employed may include any closure which goes through substantially linear translation in moving between open and closed positions. They are thus distinguished from closures which are hinged or pivoted. The present mechanism may be used with closures having a single panel, and with closures having a plurality of panels. In the latter class the invention further provides a new and improved roping arrangement for two-speed, two-panel side-opening closures and for two-panel centeropening closures.

Two-panel side-opening closures are those in which two panels are mounted on substantially parallel tracks with one panel slightly overlapping the other in closed position. When the closure opens, one panel moves one panel length, or a fraction thereof and the other moves its own width, less the overlap distance, in addition to the displacement of the first panel. Since the second panel must move approximately twice as far as the first it is desirable to have it move twice as fast so that both panels reach their open position at the same time. According to the invention this is accomplished by mechanism comprising a winding drum, a flexible member wound on said drum, but having two free ends, and a system of guide tes Patent ice means such as a pulley system. The system of guide means includes first and second guide means mounted on the closure frame adjacent the extremes of panel travel in the open and closed position. A third and fourth guide means are mounted coaxially on the panel which must travel the shortest distance. One end of the flexible member is passed around the first guide means, then 180 around the third guide means and anchored to the closure frame adjacent one extreme of closure travel. The other end of the flexible member is passed 180 around the second guide means, then 180 around the fourth guide means and anchored to the closure frame at the other extreme of panel travel. At a point between the first and third guide means the flexible member is attached to the panel which must travel the longest distance.

For center opening closures comprising two panels, a roping arrangement according to the invention comprises a winding drum, a flexible member wound on said drum but having two free ends, and first and second guide means located on the closure frame adjacent the extreme limits of panel travel. Both ends of the flexible member are secured to one door panel, one end of the member being passed 180 around the first guide means; the other 180 around the second guide means. The flexible member is also secured to the other panel at a point between the winding drum and the second guide means.

In roping arrangements where an end of a flexible member is anchored, as for example in the two-panel sideopening arrangement described, the invention also provides a spring anchoring structure. According to the invention such anchoring structure comprises a bracket having an aperture, a shaft extending through said aperture, means for securing a flexible member to said shaft on one side of said aperture, and spring means mounted on said shaft on the other side of said aperture, to keep said flexible member in tension.

When employed in an elevator system, door operating mechanism according to the invention also preferably comprises a clutch mechanism for coupling the elevator car doors with the hoistway doors at the floor where the car is stopped so that when the elevator doors open, the hoistway doors will also open. Clutch mechanism according to the invention comprises a driving member or vane on the elevator door and a driven member mounted on the hoistway door in a position to cooperate with the driving member to open the hoistway door when the elevator door is opened. Preferably the driven member is connected with a member which locks shut the hoist way door, so that when the driving member on the elevator door contacts the driven member, the latter unlocks the locking member permitting the elevator door to open the hoistway door, as it opens.

Preferably the guide mounted on the elevator door comprises an electromagnetic element which, when energized, locks the driven member to it thus preventing backlash and lost motion between the cab and hoistway doors, permitting the hoistway doors to be decelerated toward the end of their travel and providing a connection to close the hoistway doors.

The invention will be further described in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view as seen from the hoistway of a two-panel, two-speed, side-opening elevator door assembly according to the invention showing also the driving member of a clutch mechanism according to the invention. V

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view as seen from an elevator car of a hoistway door assembly such as would be employed with the elevator door assembly of Fig. 1 and showing the driven member of clutch mechanism according to the invention.

Fig. 2a is a schematic plan view showing a roping system for connecting the two side opening hoistway door panels of Fig. 2. v i

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the elevator and hoistway door assemblies of Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of door operating mechanism according to the invention.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary front elevational view, partly in section, showing details of the limit switch shown also in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a schematic fragmentary view of a pair of side-opening, two-speed doors showing a novel type of roping arrangement according to the invention.

Fig. 7 is a schematic side elevational view showing the arrangement of pulleys and door hangers in the structure of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view in front elevation showing details of the anchoring structure used in the assembly of Figs. 1, 3, 6 and 7.

Fig. 9 is a schematic fragmentary view of front elevation of a pair of center opening doors, showing a novel roping arrangement according to the invention.

Figs. 10 and 11 are schematic diagrams illustrating the operation of elevator clutch mechanism according to the invention.

Fig. 12 is a front elevational view of a contact hook and lock used in the clutch mechanism according to the invention.

Fig. 13 is a front elevational view of a blade assembly used in the clutch mechanism according to the invention.

Fig. 13a is a front elevational view of a shaft used in the blade assembly of Fig. 13. r

Fig. 14 is a side elevational view of the blade assembly shown in Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a front elevational View of the lock used in the clutch mechanism. The lock is shown also in Fig. 12.

Fig. 16 is a side elevational View of a magnetic subassembly for the clutch mechanism according to the invention.

Fig. 17 is a plan view of the magnetic sub-asssembly of Fig. 16.

Fig. 18 is a simplified straight line wiring diagram showing the circuit relations between the various electrical elements of Figs. 1-16.

The invention will be described as applied to an elevator although it will be recognized that many aspects of the invention can be used in other applications, where there are linearly moving closures.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 3, two two-speed, side-opening elevator door panels 10 and 12 are mounted on an elevator car 15. In Figs. 1 and 3 the panels are shown in closed position. They are guided in conventional manner on two substantially parallel tracks 14 and 16 carried by the car 15. Conventional guide rails 17 and 19 are provided on the car 15 to maintain the doors in proper position. The doors 10 and 12 are connected with the rails 17 and 19 by means of hangers 98 and 86, which are carried on the doors by uprights 88, 90, 100 and 102.

In accordance with the invention the doors 10 and 12 are caused to open and close by means of a door operating mechanism indicated generally as 18, which may be mounted on top of the elevator car 15, a flexible member such as a wire rope 20, and a system of guide means such as a pulley system indicated generally as 22.

The door operating assembly 18 is shown in greater detail in Fig. 4. As will appear from that figure, it comprises a direct current motor 24, a jack shaft 26, and a winding drum 28, supported on a common base 30. A limit switch assembly 54 may also be mounted on the base 30.

As will appear from Fig. 18, the motor -24 is shunt wound having an armature 23 and a shunt field 25. By use of a shunt wound direct current motor adjustable speed is possible over a series of stages, the speed in any single stage being relatively constant regardless of load.

These characteristics are highly suitable for multi-speed door operation in which the door must be started at relatively high speed and slowed down by stages as the door reaches its final position.

The jack shaft 26 is journaled in a mounting 32 and has a pulley 34 fixed to one end and a sprocket 36 fixed to the other. The motor 24 has a pulley 38 fixed to its shaft 40. A V-belt 42 connects pulley 38 to pulley 34 so that the motor 24 rotates jack shaft 26.

Winding drum 28 is carried on a shaft 44 which in turn is jonrnaled in a mounting 46. A sprocket 48 is also fixed to shaft 44 adjacent the winding drum 28. A second, smaller sprocket 50 is fixed to the shaft 44 at the opposite end from the winding drum 28.

A link belt 52 connects the sprocket 36 on the jack shaft 26 with the sprocket 48 on shaft 44. Thus, rotation of jack shaft 26 by the motor 24 is transmitted to the shaft 44 and hence to winding drum 28. Rotation of winding drum 48 causes movement of the wire rope 20 and hence movement of the door panels 10 and 12.

As pointed out, the door operating assembly 18 may also comprise a limit switch assembly 54 for decelerating and stopping the motor 24. The limit switch is operated by rotation of a shaft 56 to which is fixed a sprocket 58. Sprocket 58 is connected to the small sprocket 50 on shaft 44 by means of a link belt 60. Thus, rotation of shaft 44 by motor 24 via jack shaft 26 causes operation, not only of the Winding drum 28, but of the limit switch assembly 54.

The limit switch assembly 54 contains a series of switches OL, CL, POL, FOL, PCL, and FCL whose purposes will be explained in detail later, but which in general serve to adjust, by stages, the speed of the motor 24. As shown more clearly in Fig. 5, each of these switches has an arm 62 with a roller 64 at one end and a finger 67 at the other. The arm 62 is pivoted at an intermediate point 66, and is spring loaded so that the roller end is forced outwardly and the finger inwardly, against a plunger 65. Details of the switches have not been shown, but they are of conventional type and are actuated by movement of the plungers 65. Adjacent to each switch, a camming arm 68 is mounted on the shaft 56. Each camming arm has a split end 74 and a head 70 on which is a camming surface 72. The arms 68 are retained on shaft 56 by means of screws 76 through the split ends.

As will be apparent from Figs. 4 and 5, rotation of shaft 56 will cause cam head 70 to contact roller 64, actuating the switch. The sequence in which the several switches are operated may be adjusted by adjusting the positions of the camming arms 68 on the shaft 56.

Turning back now to Figs. 1, 6 and 7, it has been pointed out that power is transmitted from motor 24 to the two-speed, side-opening door panels 10 and 12 by the winding drum 28 wire rope 20 and a pulley assembly 22. Operation of the pulley assembly can be seen most clearly from Fig. 6.

As shown in Fig. 6, two pulleys 78 and 80 are mounted on the door frame 13 of elevator car 15 near the extreme ends of the path over which the door panels 10 and 12 have to travel in moving from closed to open position. Two additional pulleys 82 and 84 (Fig. 7) are coaxially mounted on the hanger 86 of panel 12. As shown in Figs. 6 and 7 the pulleys 82 and 84 are carried on the hanger 86 by means of a bracket 92.

The door 12 on which the pulleys 82 and 84 are carried is the door which has the least distance to move, and which therefore can move more slowly.

As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, one end of the wire rope 20 is carried ofi the winding drum 28, passed around pulley 78 and then 180 around pulley 84 and anchored at a point 94 near the extreme limit of travel of the door 10 in closed position. Intermediate the pulley 78 and the pulley 84, the rope 20 is fixed to the hanger 98 of panel 10 by a clamp 96.

The other end of rope 20 is passed from the winding drum 28180 around pulley 80, then 180 around pulley 82 and is anchored at a point 104 near theextremity of travel of the doors in open position.

The, operation of the roping arrangement described is evident. When drum 28 rotates clockwise, the right hand side of rope 20 is shortened, pulling door 12 to the right. At the same time pulley 82 is rotated, rotating pulley 84. Door is therefore caused to move at a speed equal to the speed of door 12, plus the speed imparted by rotation of pulley 84, or twice the speed of door 12.

Details of the anchoring arrangement used at points 94 and 104 are shown in Fig. 8. As shown in that figure an extreme end 106 of the wire rope 20 is looped around a stud 108 on an end of'a threaded shaft 110 and secured by a clamp 111. The shaft is inserted in an aperture 112 provided in a bracket 114 securedto the door frame 13 of elevator car (Fig. 1). Tension is placed on the rope by means of a helical spring 116 which is carried between the bracket 112 and a spring retainer 118, which is secured on the shaft 110 by means of nuts 120.

A spring anchor of this nature has several very important advantages. In the first place, it indicates the degree of tension on the cables and thus provides a visual means for setting the proper tension and for indicating when readjustment of tension is required. It also provides a buffer against any sudden shocks in the roping system. Finally, it takes up any stretch which may occur in the cable.

In place of the two-speed, two-panel door system, which has been described, the door operating mechanism which has been described can be used with various other door systems. One such system is the two-panel center opening arrangement shown schematically in Fig. 9.

As shown in Fig. 9, two door panels 10' and 12' are operated from a winding drum 28' by means of a pulley system indicated generally as 22. The winding drum may be operated by the same driving mechanism which has been described above.

The door panel 10' has a door hanger 98 connected to it by uprights 100' and 102. Similarly the panel12 has a'hanger 8 6 connected to it by uprights 88 and 90. A cable 20' is woundon the drum 28 in such a manner as to leave two free ends 73' and 75'. The end 73' is passed '1 80 around a pulley 78' and is fixed to the hanger 98 by a clamp 96'. The end 75 is passed under a guide roller 79', 180 around pulley 80' and is fixed to the hanger 98' by the clamp 96. The end 75 is also fixed at'apoint intermediate the roller 79 and the pulley80 to a clamp 85 which is carried by the hanger 86' of panel 12.

It is believed that the operation of this system Will be evident. Assuming for example, that drum 28 is turnedcounter-clockwise, the panel 10 will be pulled to the left by means of force transmitted through the end73' of the rope 20 and the panel 12 will be pulled to the right by means of a force exerted'on a clamp 85 by the end 75 of'the rope 20, providing an aperture between the two panels.

As pointed out, a major use for the door operating systems which have been described is in an elevator system. It has also been pointed out that when the door of an elevator car is operated, it is necessary to operate a hoistway door at the same time. The invention provides improved'means by which this result may be accomplished.

The mechanism by which the hoistway door is caused to open with opening of the elevator door is referred to generally as a clutch and is given the general reference numeral 122 in Fig. 3. The clutch consists of a driving assembly 124' (Fig. 1) fixed to the door panel 10 of the elevator and a driven assembly 126 (Fig. 2) fixed to a hoistway door panel 128.

The hoistway doors are of the same general type as the elevator doors and since the elevator door system shown in Fig. 1 is a two-speed, two-panel, side-opening door, the corresponding hoistway door has two panels 128 and 130 which move in tracks 132 and 134 and carry hangers 136 and 138 onuprights140, 142, 144 and 146. These hangers move along guide rails 148 and A roping system 141 is provided, in conventional manner, for connecting the hoistway door panels 128 and 130 so that movement of one hoistway door will carry the other door with it. This system comprises a sheave box 143 carried by the panel 130 and having a pair of pulleys 145 and 147 mounted therein. A flexible member such as a wire rope 149 passes around both pulleys 145 and 147 and is attached to the hanger box 138 by a bracket 151.

As indicated schematically in'Fig. 2a, the flexible member 149 is clamped to a stationary bracket 153 which is anchored in the hoistway, as at 155. When door panel 128 moves to the left to open, it pulls the flexible member 149 with it, through hanger 138 and bracket 151. As the flexible member 149 is anchored at 153, a force is exerted on sheave 147 causing sheave box 143, hanger 136 and door panel 130 to move to the left at one half the speed of panel 128. When panel 128 has fully opened, panel 139 has moved one half as far and both doors reach the fully open position together. In closing, a like operation occurs. Flexible member 149 exerts a force against sheave 145, and again door panel 130 moves at one half the speed, and travels one half the distance of door 1128.

Returning to a consideration of the clutch mechanism 122, the driving member 124 mounted on the elevator door panel 10 comprises a magneticsub-assembly l52 and two elongated vertical guides 154 and 156, which are secured to the elevator door 10 by means of L-shaped brackets 158 and 160. As shown more clearly in Fig. 16, the magnetic sub-assembly comprises a base plate 162 upon which are mounted two coils 164 and 166. The coils have metallic cores 168 and 170 and are secured on the base plate 162 by means of studs 172 and 174 which are welded to the base plate.

On top of the coils are mounted washers 176 and 178 and a number of spacers, 180, 182, 184, 186, 187, 188, and 191. Above the spacers are mounted square magnet contacts 192 and 194. The magnet contacts, spacers and washers are secured to the core 168 of the coil 164and the core 170 of the coil 166 by means of socket head cap screws 196 and 198. The coils are electrically connected to a terminal block 200 by wires 202, 204, 206 and 208. The terminal block itself is connected to the base plate, 162 by means of screws 210 and 212, as well'as by bracket 214, which in turn is fastened to the base plate 162 by screws 216 and to the terminal block 200 by screws 218.

A center guide 220 which may be made of a non-magnetic material such as phenol-formaldehyde resin is mounted in between the coils 164 and 166. The guide 220' is supported on an L-shaped bracket 222 whichis fixed to the base plate 162 by means of screws 224. The bracket 222has an extended portion 226 in which are provided two slots 228. The guide 220 is connected to the bracket 222 by means of bolts 230 which pass through the slots 228 and are retained 'by' nuts 232. Thus, the distance of the guide 220 from the base plate 162 can be regulated by sliding it up and down the slots 228.

As shown, in Fig. 1, when mounted, the guides 154 and 156 and the center guide 220 are aligned with the magnet contacts 192 and 194. 7

Turning now to Fig. 2, it will be observed that the driven assembly 126 of the clutch 122 comprises a blade assembly 234, a connecting link 236 and a contact hook 238. The contact hook 238 engaged a lock 240 mounted on the hoistway when the hoistway door is closed, thus locking'the hoistway door.

Details of the blade assembly are seen more easily from Figs113'and 14. f 1

Referring to thosefigures, the blade .assembly1234 comprises a blade 242 having a hub 244 and a plate 246 formed integrally therewith. The hub is mounted on a shaft 248 (Fig. 13a).. The shaft 248 has an upper portion 250 over which the hub 244 of the blade 242 fits, a reduced portion 252 and a stud 254. Around thereduced portion 252 of shaft 248 is fitted a blade arm 256 having an outer portion 258 and an inner portion 260. The blade arm 256 is secured to the blade plate 246 at an angle of 90 to the blade 242, by socket head cap screws 262. The stud portion 254 of shaft 248 is held fixed in a socket 264, in base plate 266, by welding at points 268.

The base plate 268, as will appear from Fig. 3, is secured to the hoistway door panel 128 by screws 270. Spacing elements 272 may be used to fix the blade assembly at a suitable distance from the hoistway door panel.

It will be seen from the construction described that the blade 242 and the blade arm 256 pivot freely on the shaft 248, which is held fixed to the base plate 266 and hence to the hoistway door 228. An oil hole 274 is provided in the hub 244 to permit lubrication of the shaft 148.

At the end of the blade arm 256 is pivotally attached a socket 276, into which it screwed the connecting link 236 (Fig. 2). This link has two sections 280 and 282 joined together by a turnbuckle 284 which permits length of the link to be adjusted. At its upper end the link 236 is threaded into a socket 286 which is pivotally mounted on the contact hook 238.

Contact hook 238 is pivotally attached to hanger 138 of door 128 at point 288. As may best be seen in Fig. 12, contact hook 238 has an enlarged portion 290 upon which the socket 286 is pivotally mounted and which has an aperture 292 for a pivot pin 293 by means of which the hook is carried by the hanger 138. I

The contact hook also comprises a reduced portion 294 ending in a wall 299 and has at its end a contact head 296. The contact head 296 is connected to the hook 238 by means of screws 298 and 300. The head 296 carries a contact roller 302 mounted on a pin 304.

When the contact hook 238 is mounted on door hanger 138 and the doors are in their closed position, the contact head 296 engages the lock 240. The lock 240 as shown more fully in Fig. 15, comprises a casing 305 having an aperture 306, through which the contact hook enters, and a conduit 308 through which electrical wires (not shown) may be led. At the top of the casing 305 is fixed a terminal block 310 having a pair of downwardly extending spring contacts 312.

Flexible connectors 314 lead from the contacts 312 to contact screws 316, to which may be attached wires, not shown, entering the block through conduit 308. On the casing 305 just above the aperture 317 a hook 318 is fixed to cooperate with the wall 299 of the contact hook 238, mechanically preventing the contact hook 238 from leaving the lock as long as it is in the locked position as shown.

The operation of the clutch may best be described in connection with Figs. 1, 2, and 11. As the elevator door 10 starts to open, by reason of operation of winding drum 28, driving assembly 124 comes in contact with the blade 242 of the driven assembly. Blade 242 is rotated on shaft 248, moving contact arm 260 and hence moving link 236 upwardly. Movement of link 236 rotates contact hook 238 about its pivot 288 and hence lowers the contact head 296. The contact hook 238 is thus disengaged from hook 318 of the lock 240 and is free to move out of the lock 240 as the driving member 124 pushes the door 128 toward its open position.

At the same time that hook 238 is lowered, a circuit established between the two contacts 312 by means of contact roller 302, is broken. These contacts are usually in the power circuit for the elevator and prevent the elevator being started while the door is open or being opened.

When the elevator door starts to open, magnetic subassembly 152 and magnet contacts 192 and 194 are energized. The magnet contacts 192 and 194 come into contact with the blade 242 and serve to hold the blade connected to the driving member 124. As the hoistway door panel 128 is pushed to the left by the elevator door panel 10 it also moves the hoistway door panel 130 by means of the pulley arrangement previously described. Both hoistway doors are therefore opened.

Having reached their open position, if the elevator door is now closed, it pulls the hoistway door closed with it by reason of the magnetic attraction exerted by the magnet contacts 152 on the blade 242.

A better understanding of the circuit relationships between the various elements described in the door operating mechanism can be gained from Fig. 18. Referring now to that figure, the contacts Z are in the power circuit for the elevator system and are closed when the elevator is ready for operation.

Contacts X1 initiate the opening of the door. Contacts X1 are preferably closed by an automatic device operated when the elevator reaches a floor for which service is desired, but may be operated in other ways, depending on the mode of operation of the particular elevator system.

Opening of the doors can also be initiated by emergency door open button 322, or by the safety edge contact 324. The latter is a device, details of which are not a part of the invention, which prevents the doors closing on a passenger who is standing in the doorway. If, for example, the doors start to close on an intending passenger entering the car, contact 324 is closed and the doors are reopened by means which will appear from the following description.

Contacts W are open when the car brake (not shown) is lifted and remain open until the car stops, to prevent safety edge 324 or door open button 322 from opening the car doors at such time.

Assume that an elevator has arrived at a floor where it is desired to open the doors, and contacts X1 are closed. A circuit is thus set up for the relay 0 and the relay SE. The circuits lie through the contacts CX1 which are normally closed when the doors are closed, through the limit switch contacts 0L which are only open when the doors are fully open, and through the coils SE. and O.

Energization of relay SE causes contacts SE1 to close and contacts SE2 to open. Contacts SE1 prepare a circuit for relays P and F. Opening of contacts SE2 prevent the doors being closed by operation of relays C and CX.

Energization of relay 0 causes contacts 01, O2 and O3 to close. Closing of contacts 01 and 02 completes a circuit for the armature 23 of the door operation motor 24.

The motor 24 has a shunt field 25 which remains energized at all times by reason of a circuit through resistance R1. This resistance is decreased with the energization of relay 0 by reason of the closing of contacts 03. The current through the coils 164 and 166 of the clutch magnetrc sub-assembly 152 is also increased by the closing of relay 0.

The motor 24, thus, starts to operate and the elevator doors 10 and 12 begin to move through operation of the winding drum 28 and movement of wire rope 20 according to the sequence described above.

As the doors move toward open position, limit switch assembly 54 is operated, as described in connection with Fig. 4. When the doors have reached a position within a given distance of being fully opened, say within five lnches of being fully opened, the limit switch POL is closed. Contacts SE1 having been closed by the energization of relay SE, a circuit is set up for the preliminary slow-down relay P. Relay P when energized closes 9 contacts P1. Contacts P1 set up a shunt circuit around motor armature 23 by way of contacts 02, resistor R2, contacts Pl, resistors R3 and R4 and contacts 01. The armature voltage is therefore diminished and the door slows down in its movement.

When the door gets still nearer to being fully opened, say within one inch of being fully opened, the limit switch FOL is closed, setting up a circuit for the final slow-down relay F. Energization of relay F closes contacts F1 which cut out most of resistance R2 from the shunt circuit around the motor armature 23. Thus the motor slows down still further. Contacts F2 are at the same time opened, de-energizing the clutch magnets.

When the door reaches its fully opened position, limit switch OL is opened cutting out relays O and SE. When relay drops out, contacts 01 and 02 open and the motor stops. Relay SE also drops out de-energizing relays P and F. Contacts 03 and F2 open and close respectively, restoring a reduced energization to the clutch magnets and to the field of motor 24.

Assume now, that it is desired to close the doors which have been opened. To accomplish this contacts X2 are closed. This may be effected by a hand operated switch, by a timing device, or by some other means (none of which are shown), depending upon the type of elevator system in which the door operating assembly is employed.

When the contacts X2 are closed, a circuit is set up for the relays C and CX. This is by way of contacts SE2 which are closed unless relay SE is operated, contacts X2, limit switch contacts CL, which are open only when the doors are fully closed, and relays C and CX. Operation of relay CX opens contacts CX1, thus preventing energization of door open relay 0 by contacts X1. It also closes contacts CX2 preparing a circuit for preliminary slow-down relay P.

Energization of relay C closes contacts C1, C2 and C3. Closing of contacts C3 increases the current through the shunt field of motor 24 and the clutch magnet coils 164 and 166. Closing of relays C1 and C2 sets up a circuit for the motor armature 23 in the manner described above, and the motor begins to operate, turning in the opposite direction from when the doors were opening.

When the doors reach a predetermined distance of being fully closed, say within five inches of being fully closed, limit switch PCL closes, establishing a circuit for preliminary slow-down relay P. Energization of this relay closes contacts P1 establishing a shunt circuit for the motor armature 23, thus cutting down the speed of the motor.

When the doors have reached a lesser distance of being fully closed, say within one inch of being fully closed, limit switch FCL is closed, establishing a circuit for relay F. Energization of relay F closes contacts F1 removing most of resistance R2 from the shunt circuit around motor armature 23, thus decreasing the speed of the motor even more. Energization of relay F also opens contacts F2 thus breaking the circuit for the clutch magnet coils 164 and 166.

When the doors have reached fully closed position, limit switch CL opens. This breaks the circuit for relay C and CX. When relay C drops out, contacts C1 and C2 open stopping the door-operating motor 24. Contacts C3 also open reducing the current through the shunt field 25 and magnet coils 164 and 166. When relay CX drops out contacts CX1 close preparing the circuit for the door opening sequence which has been described and contacts CX2 open, dropping out relay P.

The door operating mechanism, which has been described, will be seen to be unique in its simplicity of construction and flexibility of operation. The combination of a direct current motor with a winding drum and a cable-operated door moving mechanism permits a stock operating mechanism to be constructed which can be used without alteration on various size openings or with various door travels. It is especially suitable for multi-speed 10 door operation. Moreover, it avoids the use of mechanical checks, swing-arms and harmonic motions which have to be designed and constructed especially for each particular size door.

Use of the present combination of direct current motor and winding drum, without mechanical checks, swingarms and the like, permits entrances at various levels, such for example in an elevator hoistway, to be misaligned without any serious efiect on the operating mechanism. Moreover, the cable connection between the source of power and the doors permits installation of the door operating mechanism with a minimum of precise labor.

The roping arrangements which have been described have the advantage of extreme flexibility since the components are not materially changed by the dimensions of the door to be opened.

The spring anchor used in connection with a rope operated door as described is particularly useful in indicating the tension to be used in the wire rope, in proving a visual means for setting proper tension and indicating when adjustment is required. Spring anchoring provides a buffer for sudden shocks and takes up any cable stretch which may occur.

The use of a magnetic clutch as described to open hoistway doors permits a tight connection to be designed without backlash or lost motion. It permits the hoistway door to be decelerated by the action of the limit switch on the elevator as they approach fully open position and provides a source of power for pulling the hoistway doors to closed position. Moreover, should the doors be quickly reopened while moving in the closing direction, as may occur through the operation of various conventional safety devices not shown in this application, the hoistway doors can be carried open with the elevator doors by direct mechanical action.

The clutching device described also has the special advantage that it permits the cab and enclosure doors to be considerably out of parallel without afiecting operation or causing any strains or wear.

What is claimed is:

1. Clutch mechanism for connecting an elevator door with a hoistway door, which comprises a driving vane mounted on the elevator door and a driven member mounted on the hoistway door, said driven member comprising a blade member, rotatably mounted on the hoistway door, locking means and mechanical means connecting said locking means to said blade member, rotation of said blade member serving to actuate said mechanical means and unlock said locking means.

2. In an elevator system wherein an elevator car having a door is moved in a hoistway past a plurality of hoistway doors, there being lock means mounted in the hoistway for each hoistway door, a clutch mechanism for connecting the elevator door with a hoistway door comprising a driving vane on the elevator door, and a driven member on the hoistway door, said driven member comprising a hook member pivotally mounted on the hoistway door and positioned to engage the lock means in the hoistway, and mechanical means cooperating with said driving vane for disengaging said hook member from said lock means to permit the hoistway door to open.

3. In an elevator system wherein an elevator car having a door is moved in a hoistway past a plurality of hoistway doors, there being lock means including switch means mounted in the hoistway for each hoistway door, the clutch mechanism claimed in claim 2 in which the hook member comprises means to close said switch means.

4. In an elevator system wherein an elevator car having a door is moved in a hoistway past a plurality of hoistway doors, there being lock means mounted in the hoistway for each hoistway door, a clutch mechanism for connecting an elevator door with a hoistway door comprising a driving vane on the elevator door and a driven member on the hoistway door, said driven member comprising a blade member rotatably mounted on the hoistway door and positioned to be rotated by said driving vane, a hook member pivotally mounted on'the hoistway door and positioned to engage the lock means and mechanical means connecting said blade means and said hook member for disengaging said hook member from said lock means when said blade member is rotated.

5. Clutch mechanism for connecting an elevator door with a hoistway door comprising a driven member on the hoistway door and a cooperating driving member on the elevator door, said driving member being positioned to engage said driven member by lateral movement when the elevator door is at substantially the same level as the hoistway door and comprising an electromagnet having a pole member and non-magnetic guide members arranged adjacent lateral movement of said pole member for extending the cooperating surface between said driving member and said driven member; and said driven member comprising a blade member rotatably mounted on the hoistway door and positioned to be rotated by said driving means, locking means for locking said hoistway door and means connecting said locking member to said blade member, for unlocking said locking member when said blade member is rotated.

6. Clutch mechanism for connecting an elevator door with a hoistway door aligned therewith comprising a driven member on the hoistway door and a driving member on the elevator door, said driven member comprising a magnetic material and having a first contacting surface extending substantially transverse to the direction of door movement and said driving member comprising an electromagnet having a pole member and non-magnetic guide means arranged adjacent said pole member to provide a second contacting surface arranged to mechanically engage said first contacting surface on opening of the elevator door and to cause opening of the hoistway door, the magnetic material of the driven member and the electromagnet of said driving member cooperating to strengthen the engagement between said contacting surfaces and to cause closing of the hoistway door on closing of the elevator door. I

7. Clutch mechanism for connecting an elevator door with a hoistway door aligned therewith comprising a driven member on the hoistway door and a driving member on the elevator door, said driven member comprising a magnetic material and having a first contacting surface extending substantially transverse to the direction of door movement and said driving member comprising an electromagnet having two poles, non-magnetic inner guide means arranged between said poles and non-magnetic outer guide means arranged beyond said poles and in line with said inner guide means, said poles and inner and outer guide means providing a second contacting surface arranged to mechanically engage said first contacting surface on opening of the elevator door, thereby to cause opening of the hoistway door, the magnetic material of the driven member and the electromagnet of the driving member cooperating to strength the engagement between said contacting surfaces and to cause closing of the hoistway door on closing of the elevator door.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 642,098 Fassett Jan. 30, 1900 1,232,903 Dunn July 10, 1917 1,534,210 Grifiiith et a1 Apr. 21, 1925 1,911,792 Boedtcher May 30, 1933 1,934,500 Hearn et a1. Nov. 7, 1933 1,937,029 McCormick Nov. 28, 1933 2,077,659 Bancroft Apr. 20, 1937 2,174,524 Nisbet Oct. 3, 1939 2,235,380 McCormick Mar. 18, 1941 2,235,381 McCormick Mar. 18, 1941 2,432,293 Giovanni Dec. 9, 1947 2,481,124 Kruger Sept. 6, 1949 2,502,995 Rissler et a1. Apr. 4, 1950 2,618,912 Cushman Nov. 25, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 2,899,021 August 11, 1959 Joseph Va O'Grady It is herebjr certified that error appears in the-printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column ll, line 16, after "adjacent" strike out "lateral movement of"; line 20, after "by" insert lateral movement of Signed and sealed this 22nd day of March 1960.

(SEAL) Attest:

KARL H. AXLINE ROBERT C. WATSON Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

